How to Find a WPA Key on a Wireless Network

On a wireless network, the WPA key is a passphrase that protects the network from outside intruders. If a wireless router is set up with WPA encryption, you need the WPA key for network access and to make changes network settings. Gaming devices that allow you to play games online also generally require you to know the WPA key if you plan to connect them to the Internet wirelessly. In addition, to restore Internet access after reinstalling Windows, you need the WPA key if you plan to connect over Wi-Fi.

View the WPA key. (Image courtsey Cisco Systems)

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Open a Web browser. In the address bar, type "http://192.168.1.1&quot; (without the quotation marks) and press "Enter." This is the default IP address of many wireless routers. If this does not load a Web page, consult your router's manual for the configuration IP address.

Enter your router's IP address. (Image courtsey Google)

Step 2:

Enter your username and password on the screen that appears. Consult the manual for your router to find the defaults.

Authenticate your router. (Image courtsey Cisco Systems)

Step 3:

Reset the router if you can't log in or remember your router's username and password. Stick a pin or a paper clip into the reset button -- the small hole in the back or bottom of your router -- and keep this button pressed for about 15 seconds. The default factory settings should be in place after the router resets. Find the default username and password and log in.

Prepare a clip to reset the router. (IT Stock/Polka Dot/Getty Images)

Step 4:

Look for a "Security," "Wireless Security" or "Wireless Settings" tab in your router's settings. Open this tab to display the WPA key.

Check the WPA key in the settings. (Image courtsey Cisco Systems)

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Tips & Warnings

If your WPA key shows up as all asterisks (*******), reset the key on your router so that you know what it is. If you do this, you generally also need to change the key on every wireless device you own.

Choose a long password to increase the strength of the encryption.

If you do not know your username and password, try the defaults for your router. The most common default username is "admin," and the password may be blank, "admin" or "password."